Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas - Trade Deadline 2/6/25 - 2:00 p.m. CDT

[ShootingtheJ]

I am unbelievably torn on the Butler trade idea... Assuming Jimmy starts playing like himself again, our team is much better with him than with middleton/portis. He would put up AT LEAST the amount of point K midd does now and play much better defense allowing for more transition opportunities for Dame and Giannis. He is theortically the perfect SF with Dame and Giannis.

I agree with some of that, but the lack of spacing he demands hinders both Dame and Giannis.

[ShootingtheJ]

With new reports now stating Phoenix is willing to add the 2031 1st to a Butler trade, I’m wondering if that’s any type of leverage situation Miami is using to get ours in a Butler deal? Maybe Horst is holding firm there?

Phoenix needs to add that pick just to make Beal go away, and Miami doesn't benefit from that.

[-Jragon-]

Yea, 35 year old players who play 60% of their team's games always fetch 3-5 first rounders.

Sure, 3-5 picks might be a stretch, I agree with you. That detail is not the point though.

If it weren't for the drama then we wouldn't have the ammo to even be in the conversation. If he didn't want out, would ANYONE be discussing offering them Middleton and Portis? That deal is laughed at if you remove the drama. The drama is why this is even remotely plausible.

The drama is a very reasonable cause for hesitation to even consider bringing him in. Not wanting to move on from Middleton, if for no other reason than to keep our superstar happy, another very reasonable consideration.

Again, it's a very boom or bust proposition but none of the bust risk is related to his on court ability and his on court ability provides for such a tremendous upside that I don't see how we can pass on considering it.

We're simply not adding a needle moving talent of his caliber without there being an abnormal circumstance causing it.


Bottom line, if the season ended today and we were entering the playoffs with:

A. Giannis, Jimmy, Dame

or

B. Giannis, Dame, Khris

Which would you all feel better about our odds of winning a championship?

So convenient to leave Bobby out of option B, and potential additions we could get with the draft picks will likely have gone out to get A.

He's simplifying it to what's most important -- closing playoff games/serieses with Dame paired with prime Giannis. Bobby does his thing but that last 6 minutes he's not in there. Them picks likely never even see the court with Giannis. That's why it's phrased how it is

[ShootingtheJ]

Sure, 3-5 picks might be a stretch, I agree with you. That detail is not the point though.

If it weren't for the drama then we wouldn't have the ammo to even be in the conversation. If he didn't want out, would ANYONE be discussing offering them Middleton and Portis? That deal is laughed at if you remove the drama. The drama is why this is even remotely plausible.

The drama is a very reasonable cause for hesitation to even consider bringing him in. Not wanting to move on from Middleton, if for no other reason than to keep our superstar happy, another very reasonable consideration.

Again, it's a very boom or bust proposition but none of the bust risk is related to his on court ability and his on court ability provides for such a tremendous upside that I don't see how we can pass on considering it.

We're simply not adding a needle moving talent of his caliber without there being an abnormal circumstance causing it.


Bottom line, if the season ended today and we were entering the playoffs with:

A. Giannis, Jimmy, Dame

or

B. Giannis, Dame, Khris

Which would you all feel better about our odds of winning a championship?

So convenient to leave Bobby out of option B, and potential additions we could get with the draft picks will likely have gone out to get A.

He's simplifying it to what's most important -- closing playoff games/serieses with Dame paired with prime Giannis. Bobby does his thing but that last 6 minutes he's not in there. Them picks likely never even see the court with Giannis. That's why it's phrased how it is

Those picks are likely traded for someone who plays with Giannis this year. Real good chance that Bobby is traded in a multi team deal, a long with the picks, for a really good player who closes for us.

[-Jragon-]

I am unbelievably torn on the Butler trade idea... Assuming Jimmy starts playing like himself again, our team is much better with him than with middleton/portis. He would put up AT LEAST the amount of point K midd does now and play much better defense allowing for more transition opportunities for Dame and Giannis. He is theortically the perfect SF with Dame and Giannis.

I agree with some of that, but the lack of spacing he demands hinders both Dame and Giannis.

Topic shifted.. we still have guys that can hit open 3s.. new topic is defensive stops, deflections, pace, running the floor, quick action.. it's fast/medium fast breaks now

[-Jragon-]

So convenient to leave Bobby out of option B, and potential additions we could get with the draft picks will likely have gone out to get A.

He's simplifying it to what's most important -- closing playoff games/serieses with Dame paired with prime Giannis. Bobby does his thing but that last 6 minutes he's not in there. Them picks likely never even see the court with Giannis. That's why it's phrased how it is

Those picks are likely traded for someone who plays with Giannis this year. Real good chance that Bobby is traded in a multi team deal, a long with the picks, for a really good player who closes for us.

And that's Jimmy B.. that's the dude -- if we can make it happen

[ShootingtheJ]

With new reports now stating Phoenix is willing to add the 2031 1st to a Butler trade, I’m wondering if that’s any type of leverage situation Miami is using to get ours in a Butler deal? Maybe Horst is holding firm there?

I'd be stunned if Phoenix is still in this. They just blew all their remaining 2nd's on Nick Richards. They'd arguably need that 2031 1st just for some team to take Beal's contract. And most importantly, Beal still hasn't indicated he'd waive his no-trade clause. I think they know it's a pipe dream at this point. Riley doesn't want Beal and their remaining junk, so PHX has pivoted to other targets while still keeping up the ruse for now.

I agree with this, but just wanted to add that Phoenix still has 2- 2nds to trade. They traded 3 of their 4- 2nds, but got one back. Charlotte wanted some of their picks in different years.

However, those 2nds might need to be added to their 1st to move Beal, and Beal still needs to agree to this. That leaves Miami with whatever junk contract that gets sent out in the Beal deal, and no other assets.

[ShootingtheJ]

He's simplifying it to what's most important -- closing playoff games/serieses with Dame paired with prime Giannis. Bobby does his thing but that last 6 minutes he's not in there. Them picks likely never even see the court with Giannis. That's why it's phrased how it is

Those picks are likely traded for someone who plays with Giannis this year. Real good chance that Bobby is traded in a multi team deal, a long with the picks, for a really good player who closes for us.

And that's Jimmy B.. that's the dude -- if we can make it happen

We've already ruined the Bucks with one sullen malcontent attention whore. We don't need 2.

[ShootingtheJ]

I am unbelievably torn on the Butler trade idea... Assuming Jimmy starts playing like himself again, our team is much better with him than with middleton/portis. He would put up AT LEAST the amount of point K midd does now and play much better defense allowing for more transition opportunities for Dame and Giannis. He is theortically the perfect SF with Dame and Giannis.

I agree with some of that, but the lack of spacing he demands hinders both Dame and Giannis.

Topic shifted.. we still have guys that can hit open 3s.. new topic is defensive stops, deflections, pace, running the floor, quick action.. it's fast/medium fast breaks now

There's still not enough defense because of Dame, and Dame constantly walking the ball up is what has killed our pace. We played fast pre Dame.

[-Jragon-]

I agree with some of that, but the lack of spacing he demands hinders both Dame and Giannis.

Topic shifted.. we still have guys that can hit open 3s.. new topic is defensive stops, deflections, pace, running the floor, quick action.. it's fast/medium fast breaks now

There's still not enough defense because of Dame, and Dame constantly walking the ball up is what has killed our pace. We played fast pre Dame.

He was trying to fit into the team as it was constructed b4 he got here as a halfcourt old man slow team.. that's what this shift is that your don't feel. You don't feel it STJ... Go outside and close your eyes and let the new shift just hit you.. it's running and gunning... we have 2 of the fastest superstars in the NBA and the training wheels are coming off.

How don't you sense this? KM has more talent in his little toe than AJJ ever will but we're starting AJJ, why? Feel it

[jakecronus8]

Miami trades
Butler, Ware, Burks, ‘26 LAL 2nd

Miami receives
Middleton, Portis, AJ Johnson Jr, Simone Fontechio, ‘31 MIL 1st

Detroit trades
Fontechio,

Detroit receives
Beauchamp, Connaughton, ‘26 LAL 1st, ‘31 MIL 2nd

Milwaukee trades
Middleton, Portis, AJ Johnson Jr, Connaughton, Beauchamp, ‘31 1st

Milwaukee receives
Butler, Ware Burks

Convert Rollins to full contract

Lopez/Ware/Smith
Giannis/Prince
Butler/AJJ/Burks
Green/GTJ
Lillard/Rollins/Wright

Playoff rotation

Lopez (20)/Giannis (18)/Ware 10
Giannis (22)/Butler(18)/Prince (8)
Butler (20)/Jackson (16)/Prince (6)/Trent (6)
Green (24)/GTJ (18)/Rollins (6)
Dame (38)/Rollins (10)

[ShootingtheJ]

Topic shifted.. we still have guys that can hit open 3s.. new topic is defensive stops, deflections, pace, running the floor, quick action.. it's fast/medium fast breaks now

There's still not enough defense because of Dame, and Dame constantly walking the ball up is what has killed our pace. We played fast pre Dame.

He was trying to fit into the team as it was constructed b4 he got here as a halfcourt old man slow team.. that's what this shift is that your don't feel. You don't feel it STJ... Go outside and close your eyes and let the new shift just hit you.. it's running and gunning... we have 2 of the fastest superstars in the NBA and the training wheels are coming off.

How don't you sense this? KM has more talent in his little toe than AJJ ever will but we're starting AJJ, why? Feel it

You have the shift backwards, we scored a ton in transition before Dame arrived, and we're actually playing faster since Middleton got back. Dame is the slow one. Doc has mentioned this repeatedly, that Dame needs to get the ball up the court quicker. Dame even admitted this after the last 2 games. Everyone knows the problem except you.

This is why the Bucks offensive rating is dramatically higher with Khris and Giannis on, and Dame off. With Dame off, we play faster.

[ShootingtheJ]

Woahhhhh.... wait man.. He's talking about the whole trade and then if Butler opts out.. right? Our only 2 big salaries next year are Dame and Giannis... everyone else is on that youngster deal. If Butler gets extended/opts in then yeah that's different.

You don't open cap room until you drop the cap hold on Brook, but that's another player to replace. Giannis and Dame take 70% of the cap, no matter what the cap is set at. With minimum cap holds, there's isn't enough to get anyone actually good. This FA class sucks too.

How can everyone even god be wrong but you.Dude i just heard this on nba network that if the nucks trade patty C to detroit they would go under the 2nd apron n thus get their MLE back then they said that if bucks get butler n he walks that would open up 23 million in cap space n if brook walks would open 40 million.Thats the 4th time i heard the same story from 3 different basketball guys

You can't just cut the roster down to no one. There's minimum roster cap holds. It used to be 11, now it's twelve.

[Ron Swanson]

Bucks were 7th and 10th in pace Bud's last two years. We've been 9th and 7th in the two years since.

[-Jragon-]

There's still not enough defense because of Dame, and Dame constantly walking the ball up is what has killed our pace. We played fast pre Dame.

He was trying to fit into the team as it was constructed b4 he got here as a halfcourt old man slow team.. that's what this shift is that your don't feel. You don't feel it STJ... Go outside and close your eyes and let the new shift just hit you.. it's running and gunning... we have 2 of the fastest superstars in the NBA and the training wheels are coming off.

How don't you sense this? KM has more talent in his little toe than AJJ ever will but we're starting AJJ, why? Feel it

You have the shift backwards, we scored a ton in transition before Dame arrived, and we're actually playing faster since Middleton got back. Dame is the slow one. Doc has mentioned this repeatedly, that Dame needs to get the ball up the court quicker. Dame even admitted this after the last 2 games. Everyone knows the problem except you.

This is why the Bucks offensive rating is dramatically higher with Khris and Giannis on, and Dame off. With Dame off, we play faster.

KM has looked faster the last couple games coming downhill with Giannis but historically we've looked like our average team age went up 10+ years when KM would return to the lineup

[-Jragon-]

Bucks were 7th and 10th in pace Bud's last two years. We've been 9th and 7th in the two years since.

Let it fly was the mantra.. he wanted that 3 ball to come out quick.. Doc wants more downhill to the bucket I think.. KM was always a bit against the grain on what Bud wanted as he wanted to do his long 2 stuff..

At this point of their careers.. both Bobby and KM are more half court guys than fast break (maybe that was different 4-6 years ago but they are back to the basket guys now) and arent the type that help you get many defensive stops. Do you disagree?

[engelmartin]

Jimmy Butler is cool, but why not Chris Boucher?

[ShootingtheJ]

He was trying to fit into the team as it was constructed b4 he got here as a halfcourt old man slow team.. that's what this shift is that your don't feel. You don't feel it STJ... Go outside and close your eyes and let the new shift just hit you.. it's running and gunning... we have 2 of the fastest superstars in the NBA and the training wheels are coming off.

How don't you sense this? KM has more talent in his little toe than AJJ ever will but we're starting AJJ, why? Feel it

You have the shift backwards, we scored a ton in transition before Dame arrived, and we're actually playing faster since Middleton got back. Dame is the slow one. Doc has mentioned this repeatedly, that Dame needs to get the ball up the court quicker. Dame even admitted this after the last 2 games. Everyone knows the problem except you.

This is why the Bucks offensive rating is dramatically higher with Khris and Giannis on, and Dame off. With Dame off, we play faster.

KM has looked faster the last couple games coming downhill with Giannis but historically we've looked like our average team age went up 10+ years when KM would return to the lineup

Nope, that's just your bias as a Dame fan only. You should have seen how many transition buckets Giannis used to get before Dame. It was fun.

[msiris]

Miami trades
Butler, Ware, Burks, ‘26 LAL 2nd

Miami receives
Middleton, Portis, AJ Johnson Jr, Simone Fontechio, ‘31 MIL 1st

Detroit trades
Fontechio,

Detroit receives
Beauchamp, Connaughton, ‘26 LAL 1st, ‘31 MIL 2nd

Milwaukee trades
Middleton, Portis, AJ Johnson Jr, Connaughton, Beauchamp, ‘31 1st

Milwaukee receives
Butler, Ware Burks

Convert Rollins to full contract

Lopez/Ware/Smith
Giannis/Prince
Butler/AJJ/Burks
Green/GTJ
Lillard/Rollins/Wright

Playoff rotation

Lopez (20)/Giannis (18)/Ware 10
Giannis (22)/Butler(18)/Prince (8)
Butler (20)/Jackson (16)/Prince (6)/Trent (6)
Green (24)/GTJ (18)/Rollins (6)
Dame (38)/Rollins (10)

Why would Heat give up Ware? Love it but......

[jakecronus8]

Miami trades
Butler, Ware, Burks, ‘26 LAL 2nd

Miami receives
Middleton, Portis, AJ Johnson Jr, Simone Fontechio, ‘31 MIL 1st

Detroit trades
Fontechio,

Detroit receives
Beauchamp, Connaughton, ‘26 LAL 1st, ‘31 MIL 2nd

Milwaukee trades
Middleton, Portis, AJ Johnson Jr, Connaughton, Beauchamp, ‘31 1st

Milwaukee receives
Butler, Ware Burks

Convert Rollins to full contract

Lopez/Ware/Smith
Giannis/Prince
Butler/AJJ/Burks
Green/GTJ
Lillard/Rollins/Wright

Playoff rotation

Lopez (20)/Giannis (18)/Ware 10
Giannis (22)/Butler(18)/Prince (8)
Butler (20)/Jackson (16)/Prince (6)/Trent (6)
Green (24)/GTJ (18)/Rollins (6)
Dame (38)/Rollins (10)

Why would Heat give up Ware? Love it but......

I’m not super plugged in with them so I don’t know how much they value Ware, but if we’re giving up our last first round pick I need something young coming back. And we need a big